According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, the Tennessee Titans won’t be re-signing wide receiver Corey Davis and tight end Jonnu Smith, ending both of their respective tenures in Nashville and sending them to free agency.
The team letting both walk isn’t totally surprising, as Tennessee is strapped for cash and really couldn’t afford to spend significant money on either player.
If there was one somewhat surprise of the two, it’s Davis, who was a key cog in Tennessee’s offense last season and the team’s No. 2 receiver in the pecking order and in terms of yardage.
However, with big needs on defense and limited funds to spend, Tennessee’s reluctance to spend big bucks on a secondary receiver is understandable.
We’ve expected all offseason long that Smith wouldn’t be back. After all, he wasn’t used enough in the offense and was more of a luxury than anything else.
Shortly after the news broke, there were mixed reactions from Titans Twitter. Here’s a look at some of them:
Whatever the #Titans plan is to replace Jonnu Smith, it's incredibly unlikely that they get the same value out of that new player.
There isn't a TE realistically available (in free agency or the draft) that will replace what Smith brought to the table for the offense
Huge loss.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 15, 2021
None of the #Titans outgoing free agents is a superstar. The best of the bunch are Corey Davis, a WR2, and Jonnu Smith, an athletic but often unproductive tight end. They’ll be fine. https://t.co/TBQ5JGagyZ
— Luke Worsham (@luke_worsham) March 15, 2021
If Corey Davis isn't coming back…none of the top line guys are. So it begins https://t.co/QI5WJ8HtiH
— Buck Reising😷 (@BuckReising) March 15, 2021
A lot of titans fans don’t seem to understand that TE isn’t that important a position unless you’ve got someone like kelce or kittle. Corey Davis>>>>> https://t.co/OREvTORnIg
— Jeremy Horton (@LittleHooty) March 15, 2021
Two of the bigger names at their respective positions. I’d say Jonnu Smith is the top TE in free agency currently, with the most upside. Corey Davis may be the ideal fit and target for #Giants. #NFL https://t.co/u4ZeVUEyCH
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) March 15, 2021
If The Titans go from Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith to John Brown and Kyle Rudolph, they’re in big trouble. https://t.co/t1DVfyj0ut
— Chely Lobatón (@chelylobaton) March 15, 2021
Look, I love Corey Davis and I think he makes the run game work in ways he doesn't really get credit for.
But over the last 5 weeks, including the playoffs, he had 12 catches for 183 yards and a Touchdown. 75 of those yards and the touchdown came from a single catch.
— Blake (@_BlakeTucker) March 15, 2021
With Jonnu Smith moving on they're going to have to land a Brevin Jordan or Tommy Tremble type in the draft.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) March 15, 2021
That said, JRob better crush whatever signings he makes to improve the defense and replace Davis and/or Smith or there will be a fan mutiny.
— The Titans Wire (@TheTitansWire) March 15, 2021
